Harry said, "Yes, Aunt Petunia."
She slammed the door behind him and set the locks. He rubbed Hedwig through her bars until she settled down. "We're going to be fine," he told her, this time meaning it. He would be very quiet and tomorrow he would be let out. He'll grab some extra food for Hedwig and see if Scabbers might not be hiding in the garden. "They get like this sometimes. In a few days they will calm down, you'll see."
He fought against losing hope. He was a Gryffindor, they were brave and strong, they could manage anything! He couldn't remember when last they had given him a proper meal, he had only survived because of Scabbers but he had been more cheeky also, knowing he had a back-up plan. It was his own fault. He'll be quiet tonight and tomorrow he'll beg them, maybe.
Refusing to give in to maudlin thoughts, Harry lay in his bed, listening to his family laughing downstairs when a soft 'pop' sounded next to him. He turned to look.
Continue to ch x